Bomb release



1945 IR. J. MINSHALL ET AL 2,495,752

BOMB RELEASE Filed Feb. 4, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 1 Fi 2 Robert J. Minshall Fred P. Laudan Elliott 6. Emery,Jr.

Aug. 13, 1946. R. J. MINSHALL ET AL BOMB RELEASE Filed Feb." 4, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 &

Robert J. .l'kinshall Fred P. Laudan Elliot 6.Eme1'y,Jr.

' Fig. 5

Aug 1946- R. J. MINSHALL ET AL, 2,495,752

BOMB RELEASE Filed Feb. 4, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Robert J. Ainshall Fred P. Laudan Ellio'ti 6. Emeryjr.

Patented Au 13, 1946 2,405,752

E'EQE BOMB RELEASE Robert J. Minshall, Fred P. Landau, and Elliott G. Emery, In, Seattle, Wash, assignors, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of War Application February 4, 1935, Serial No. 4,774

32 Claims. (CI. 891.5)

' l 2 This invention relates to the release of bombs electrical skip-station devices have not, in pracfrom aircraft, and without intending to restrict tice (nor have mechanical devices heretofore the manner of its use, it is particularly designed known), proven wholly satisfactory; at times to insure, by electrically energized but positively such devices may fail to skip an empty station, operable mechanical means, the successive re- 5 or may run through a given station and the next lease of bombs supported on vertical racks, station, to release not one but two bombs-in Whether or not such bombs are supported from other words, they have not heretofore been found successive stations on such rack, or on companwholly dependable. Nevertheless, it is very deion racks, or at will to insure substantially sisirable to enable release of the bombs selectively multaneous manual and mechanical release, that by mere pressure upon an electric firing button, is, salvo release, of all such and to utilize the same electric impulse further It is an object of the present invention to proto initiate advance of mechanical means to convide such bomb releasing means which will safely dition the next loaded station for release upon and positively select and condition the proper the next pressure upon the firing button, whether bomb station to be released, the next in the inthat next station is neXt in order to the station tended order of release, and which will operate just released 01' is spaced therefrom by one or to prevent the release of any other bomb or more empty stations. The present device, in bombs, except in the event it is desired to salvo practice, has been found satisfactory and reand drop all bombs, as might be required in the liable.

event a bombing airplane is about to make a A further object of this invention therefore, forced landing without having discharged its is to provide mechanical means such that the sebombs. lector bar shall pass through all empty bomb rack It is a further object to provide such a device stations, and stop at the station of the next bomb which is adaptable to the successive release of on the rack or companion rack to be released,

bombs of varying sizes from any given rack, or thus making the selection of loaded and cooked from alternate racks, so that if the size of the stations automatic.

bombs, or the relative size of different bombs, is It is a further object to provide safety means such that certain stations of the rack are unocwhich will prevent any movement of parts folcupied and not cooked the device will automatlowing release of a bomb until the actuating or ically and by mechanical means select and contripping means has been returned to its initial dition each cocked station in succession, skipping position, thus preventing interference of parts the uncooked stations, to the end that the bomband preventing accidental slippage which might or need only press an electrical actuating butstrip all bombs from the rack when it was inton and each time such button is pressed the tended to release only a single bomb.

next bomb in order will be released, whether or It is a further object to provide safety locknot that bomb is supported on a station next to ing means in such a bomb release which will prethe previously released station, or is supported vent recocking of stations which have not been from a station spaced (of course, by an unoccocked until all parts are in proper position for cupied station) from the previously released such cooking, thereby preventing accidental dropstation. Thus the bomb rack stations may "be ping of a bomb during the operation of securing loaded in any sequence desired or rendered necanother bomb in place.

essary, due to the relative size of difierent bombs, It is a further object to provide in such a bomb and still the bomber may drop the next bomb in release means for looking all stations against reorder each time he pushes the solenoid button at lease, thus preventing accidental dropping of the bomb sight. This is made possible without bombs under any circumstances until this safety any permanent rearrangement of any of the device has been moved to the unlocked position. parts-of this mechanism; in other words, regard- A further object is to enable the ground perless of the loading of large or small bombs, mixed sonnel to cook all bomb shackles and bomb staor otherwise, each time the bomber presse the lions, an t0 10ck them with the Salvo 100k, solenoid button he releases the next bomb on the so that any succession of large or small bombs may rack or companion rack. Thus is fulfilled one be loaded into the racks or companion racks in of the objects of this invention, to make the sethe locked position, making it possible, once the lection of the next bomb to be released autobomb stations are cocked, to load and make the matic, and by mechanical means. Each time the plane ready for a bombing mission without resolenoid button at the bomb sight is pushed to leasing the salvo lock mechanism. close this switch in the solenoid circuit the next It is a further object, in conjunction with a bomb is released. plurality of racks which are to be discharged in It should be noted here that skip-station resuccession, to provide means which is automatlease by electrical means is known to the art, and ically operable, following release of the last bomb that we do not claim as our invention. Such from any given rack, to energize the next rack or 1e operating means therefor so that this secnd rack can be discharged merely by further peration of a common operating means such as push button, without putting any burden :ction or transfer upon the bomber.

Generally speaking, it is an object of this inention to improve, simplify and make more safe .nd certain the operation of such bomb releases, iarticularly by the use of mechanical means, and urther objects, particularly such as pertain to mechanical details and arrangements, will be inderstood as this specification proceeds.

Our invention comprises the novel parts, and vhe novel combination and relative arrangement hereof, as shown in the accompanying draw- .ngs, described in this specification, and more ,Jarticlularly pointed out by the claims termiaating the same. 4

Figure l is an elevation of the release mechanism including three stations. 7 V

Figure 1a, illustrates a safety lock.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the mechanism shown in Figure l, the section being taken on line I-l of Figure 1.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are elevations through a given station, showing successive stages in the operation of releasing a bomb, from such station.

Figure 6 is an elevation of parts in the position shown in Figure 3.

Figure '7 is a transverse section on the line 'a'-l' of Figures 3 and 6.

Figure 8 is a transverse section on the line 8-8 of Figure 9, illustrating the temporary locking device, and Figure 9 is an elevation of the same, on the line 9-9 of Figure 8. 1

Figure 10 is an elevation through a single station, illustrating particularly the tripping and combined salvoing and locking mechanism, showing parts in the locked position, and Figure '11 is a similar elevation showing parts in the salvoed position, 1

Figure 12 is an electrical diagram, ill ustrating the hook-up between the several racks, where a plurality of racks are employed to be operated in succession.

Essentially the invention comprises a release device at each station forming the; operative connection between such station and the bomb shackle (not shown), suitable means at each station for maintaining or holding this release device in cocked position and capable of being tripped to effect release of the bomb, and three devices controlling the operation of the holding device, these three devices being common to and preferably extending through all stations, the whole cooperating mechanically.

These three devices may be designated, one, a solenoid bar I, because it is conveniently operable by energization of a solenoid i3 through the pressing of a push button P, and which solenoid bar serves as the actuating or tripping means; another, a salvo bar 2 which is preferably manually operated, and which when actuated will engage and release all the retaining means to release them andtheir associated release links 9, and which may in another position serve as a safety lock for all stations; and the third, a station selector bar 3 which moves with relation to all the stations, and comes into operative relationship with the several cocked stations in succession to condition them, as by displacing a tripping device or slide pin 4 into the path of the solenoid bar I, so that upon movement-of the solenoid bar this tripping device or slide pin "4 is engaged and this particular selected station of seis released, the selector bar 3 thereafter moving to the next cocked station to condition the latter for release upon further actuation of the solenoid bar I. The station selector bar 3 is so controlled by the mechanical interrelation of parts that if an intermediate station is not cooked, it

will skip this uncocked station and condition the next cocked station, thereby avoiding the necessity of consciously advancing the station selector bar through a dead or uncooked station, and insuring that each pressure upon the controlling button P will result in the release of the next bomb.

Before proceeding to a detailed description of the several bars and the pin i it may be noted that the setting or cocking mechanism at'each station, the details of which are largely immaterial, may conveniently comprise an arm 33 pivoted at 9| and connected to the release link 3, which latter is acted upon by a spring 92 tending to throw the arm and link to the right, asseen in Figure 2, the link being connected to an arm as which releases the bomb from the shackle (not shown). Likewise pivoted at 9| to move with the arm 90 is an arm 94 provided with a stop shoulder r at its end engageable by a spring-held latch 95 medium of slots in pivoted at 96. Tocock the station thearm 34 is pressed inward, in opposition to the spring 92, untilit is engaged by the latch 35, this resulting in compressing the spring 92, but so long as the latch is in engagement with the arm 94 the bomb cannot be released. A spring 99, acting upon an arm 46 which swings with the latch 95, holds the latch in engagement with the arm'Q t, and urges the latch in the direction so to engage the latter. The arm 94 is provided with a stop shoulder 91', for a purpose which will appear hereafter. In conjunction with this is a cut-away portion 98 surrounding its pivot at 9 l.

The pivots 9| and 93 and guide pins 80, which guide the several bars referred to through the the bars, are conveniently supported upon suitable framework, generally indicated by the numeral 8, at each station, these being in turn supported within a channel 8| extending between the several stations.

Carried on the pivot 96 to swing with the latch 95 is a tripping arm '40, previously referred to, which carries a transverse cylindrical head 4| at its swinging end. Swinging of this arm, and consequently of the latch 95, is limited by engagement of the head ll within an aperture of the salvo bar 2, as will appear hereafter. Within the head M is received the slide pin 4, previously referred to, this being acted upon by a spring H (see Figure 7) tending to move the pin 4 to the right, as seen in Figures 6 and '7. In the position described its right hand end is in the path of a sear or cam 34 on the station selector bar 3, and its left hand end is out of the path of the sear l4- on the solenoid bar l, So long as the station selector sear 34 has not engaged and moved the slide pin 4 to the left in opposition to the spring G2. the pin cannot be engaged by the sear M on the solenoid bar, so that the solenoid bar may be reciprocated without effecting release of a bomb from this station, but when the station selector bar 3 has been moved to bring its sear 34 for some selected station into engagement with the pin i of that station, this pin, being moved to the left, is now projected into thepath of the solenoid sear I4, which position is illustrated in Figures 6 and '7, and this particular station is now conditioned ready for release, and at the next reciprocation of the solenoid bar the sear I4 will engage and depress the now projecting end of the pin 3, thus releasing the latch 95 from the arm 9:3 and permitting the link 9 to move to the right, as seen in Figure 2, releasing the bomb associated with this link. The lowermost bomb in Figure 2 has been shown thus released, and the intermediate station is now conditioned and ready for release of its bomb, while the uppermost station is not yet conditioned.

This selection of the stations is accomplished by the station selector bar 3, which carries the sears 34. This bar is also provided with a plurality of similar sears 3!, 32 and'33, one for each station. The end of each of these sears is positioned to engage the shoulder 91 on the 'arm- 94 of its particular station, and by thus engaging the shoulder sl movement of the station selector bar 3, in response to its spring 39, is stopped, and the station selector sear 3% is brought into position to move the pin t of this particular station into the path of the solenoid sear M. This condition is illustrated in Figures 3, 6 and 7. After tripping or rel-ease of this station, illustrated in Figure l, the arm 94 files away from the latch 95, under the influence of spring 92, whereupon the station selector bar 3 is free to move, under the influence of the tension spring 39, and the sear,

3i for example, moves under the cut-away portion 98, previously referred to, as illustrated in Figure 5, and now this station cannot be recocked until the station selector bar 3 has been moved back to its initial position. However, the next sear, 32 for example, has come into engagement with the shoulder 9'! of the next station above, provided that station was cooked. If it was not cocked, the sear 32 passes by this station, and the station selector bar 3 does not stop until the next sear has come into engagement with the shoulder 97 of the next station in therack, which we can assume is cocked. Thus the station selector bar automatically passes through any uncocked station, and conditions the next cocked station.

In order to prevent movement of the station selector bar until the solenoid bar, under the infiuence of tension spring 39, has been returned to its initial position, under the influence of its tension spring l9, we provide a temporary locking device, such as that illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. An arm i, pivoted at in, extends transversely between the solenoid bar I and the station selector bar 3. The solenoid bar 5 has a cam slot ll, within which is engaged one end of the arm I, and the station selector bar 3 has a series of spaced notches 3'! for engagement by the opposite and of the arm I. This end of the arm I is guided between fixed guides H 50 that it may not be moved under the influence of the spring 39 acting on the station selector bar. With movement or" the solenoid bar upward, that is, in the direction to release a bomb, one end of the arm 7 is moved upward into a notch 51, thus locking the station selector bar in its position until the solenoid bar ha been moved downward again, upon deenergization of its solenoid, whereupon the station selector bar 3 is unlocked and moves to its new position, as in Figure 5, to condition the next cocked station.

The salvo bar 2 isprovided with a slot 2d which embraces the head 4! carrying the slide pin i. This slot is provided with a cam surface 2! leading to a notch 22, which when it engages the head M holds the latter against any movement which would release the bomb, and thus the solenoid sear M, if operated, cannot depress the pin 4 of an armed station, and consequently all parts are locked and held safely against release of any bomb. This position of the parts is illustrated in Figure '10. If, however, the salvo bar 2 is moved to an intermediate position, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, parts are unlocked and ready for release of a bomb. i

If it is desired to drop all bombs simultaneously the salvo bar is moved upward, and a cam surface 23, leading to a notch 24, depresses the head M in the same manner that it is depressed by engagement of the sear Hi with the pin 4, except that the'engagement is now between the cam 23 and the head 4|, and by proper spacing of the cams 23 relative to all stations this depresses and trips all the stations substantially simultaneously, and all bombs are consequently released at once. This position of parts is shown in Figure 11. Preferably the several cams 23 are so spaced that lower stations are released slightly in advance of the next station above, so that a stripping action, or successive release, occurs. The mechanism for operating the salvo bar is preferably wholly manual, and is shown as a bell crank lever 25 operable by a link 26 extending to the bombers station.

It is frequently desirable to connect two such racks for alternate operation, for the stations may be sospaced as to receive the smallest size of bomb, and when larger bombs are employed it may be necessary to use alternate stations, and to stagger the relationship of the occupied and cocked stations in the two connected racks, so that a' bomb may be released first from one rack, then thenext bomb from another rack, then a bomb-from the first rack, and so on. In order to connect the racks for such operation we may provide rack teeth I39 on each station selector bar -3, engageable by a pinion 33 on a shaft 35,

. whereby movement of one station selector bar is communicated to the companion station selector bar in the other rack, and the stoppage of either one effects stoppage of the other. Similarly rack teeth HS are provided on each of the solenoid bars I, with which is engageable a pinion !8 on a shaft IE, this shaft extending to the companion pinion and solenoid bar in the companion release mechanism. On this shaft I6 may be secured an arm 55 suitably connected to the solenoid l3, whereby energization of the solenoid will rotate the shaft I6 to effect release of a bomb. All the salvo bars may be connected by means such as the link 26 to a common point where all can be operated manually together.

For a condition where two or more racks are to be operated in succession (as distinguished from alternately) by a common push button P, we provide a cut-over switch 5, the handle 5i of which projects in the path of an abutment 35 on the station selector bar 3. When the station selector bar has released the last station in its rack the abutment 35 strikes the arm 5i, throwing the switch 5 to an opposite position, and as may be seen in Figure 12, when this occurs the particular solenoid controlling this release mechanism is thrown out of the circuit, and the next solenoid for the next release mechanism in order is thrown into the circuit, so that by repeated pressure upon the push button P in the hands of the bomber all stations of the first rack are released in succession, and then all stations of the next and succeeding racks are released in succession, automatically and without any thought on the part of the bomber.

As an additional precaution against accidental release of bombs while loading the racks, we may provide a safety lock for operation by the ground personnel, whereby one or more of the bars 1, 2 and 3 (for example, the station selector bar 3) are held against reciprocation. So long as the station selector bar 3 is prevented from moving into a position to condition any station, no bomb can be discharged by accidental pressure of the push button P. To this end a lever 6 is pivotally mounted at 53 (see Figure 1a) at the lower end of each rack, in position such that by throwing it to one side it will block the end of the station selector bar 3, thereby preventing it from downward movement. When thrown to the opposite side it will clear the station selector bar, ready for its movement. Suitably located stop shoulders in a bridge 6| position the lever 6 in each position, and'a'snap ov'er spring 62 holds it in each position. This lock is set by the ground personnel as they commence loading bombs, and

when all bombs are loaded, it is released by them.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a trip element, actuating means movable to engage a trip element to release the corresponding station, and a selector bar movable past the stations in succession to position the successive trip elements for engagement by the actuating-means.

2. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a trip element, actuating means movable to engage a trip element to release the corresponding station, a selector bar movable ,past the stations in succession to position the successive trip elements for engagement by the actuating means, and salvo means engageable with the retaining means at all stations, and movable at will to release the same simultaneously. V

3. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a trip element, actuating means movable to engage a trip element to release the corresponding station, a selector bar movable past the stations in succession to position the successive trip elements for engagement by the actuating means, and means engageable with all the retaining means, and movable to look all such means in cocked position.

4. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a trip element movable from an inoperative position to a tripping position, actuating means movable past the several stations and engageable with any trip element which is in tripping position, to operate the corresponding release device, and mechanical selector means engageable with each trip element in succession, following release of a preceding station, to move such trip element into tripping position.

5. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a trip element movable from an inoperative position to a tripping position, actuating means movable past theseveral stations and engageable with any trip element which is in tripping position, to operate the corresponding release device, mechanical selector means engageable with each trip element in succession, iollowing release of a preceding station, to move such tripping device into tripping position, and locking means carried by the selector means, and operable upon tripping of each retaining means, to prevent recocking of the latter until the selector means has been returned to its initial position.

6. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a trip element movable from an inoperative position to a tripping position, actuating means movable past the several stations and engageable with any trip element which is in tripping position, to operate the corresponding release device, selector means engageable with each trip element in succession, following release of a preceding station, to move such trip element into tripping position, and means interengageable between the selector means and the actuating means to prevent engagement of the former with another trip element until the actuating means has been returned to its initia1 position.

7. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a trip element shiftable from an inoperative or tripped. position, wherein the retaining means and the release device are released, to a cooked position, wherein the retaining means and the release device are cocked, and wherein it lies in the path of a selector device, and further'movable to a tripping position, ready to release the retaining means and the release device, actuating means reciprocable past the several stations and engageable with any trip element which is in tripping position, and a mechanical selector device engageable in succession with each trip element which is in cocked position, to move each such trip element, following release of the preceding set station, into tripping position, ready for engagement by the actuating means.

8. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a trip element shiftable from an inoperative or tripped position, wherein the retaining means and the release device are released, to a cooked position, wherein the retaining means and the release device are cooked, and wherein it lies in the path of a selector device, and further movable to a tripping position, ready to release the retaining means and the release device, actuating means reciprocable past the several stations and engageable with any trip element which is in tripping position, a selector device engageabl in succession with each trip element which is in cocked osition, to move each such trip element, following release of the preceding cocked station, into tripping position, ready for engagement by the actuating means,

and a lever movable by initiation of actuating V movement'of the actuating means, to engage the selector device and interdict its engagement with a further trip elementuntil the actuating means has returned to its initial position.

9, A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position,

each of said means including a slide pin and means supporting and guiding the pin for longitudinal movement and for bodily movement transversely of the pin, actuating means extending through the several stations, means to reciprocate the latter repeatedly through a definite path, a selector bar likewise extending through the several stations, means to effect its advance step by step in a definite path in one direction, and permitting its return, the pin of each retaining means, when the latter is in tripped position, lying outside of the paths of the actuating means and the selector bar, but when bodily moved into set position lying in the path of the selector bar, pin sears carried by said selector bar and spaced, relative to the spacing between stations, to engage and move axially insuccession the pin of each successive station which is in cocked condition, stop means on the selector bar, cooperating stop means associated with each retaining means, and disposed only when the latter is in cocked position, to stop the selector pin sear in position to hold the corresponding in in its axially moved position, and tripping sears carried by the actuating means and engageable, upon reciprocation of the latter, with any axially moved pin, thereby to trip the corresponding retaining means and the releas device.

10. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a slide in and means supporting and guiding the pin for longitudinal movement and for bodily movement transversely of the pin, actuating means extending through the several stations, means to reciprocate th latter repeatedly through a definite path, a selector bar likewise extending through the several stations, means to effect its advance step by step in a definite path in one direction, and permitting its return, the pin of each retaining means, when the latter is in tripped position, lying outside of the paths of the actuating means and the selector bar, but when bodily moved into set position lying in the path of the selector bar, pin sears carried by said selector bar and spaced, relative to the spacing between stations, to engage and move axially in succession the pin of each successive station which is in cocked condition, stop means on the selector bar, cooperating stop means associated with each retaining means, and disposed only when the latter is in cocked position, to stop the selector pin sear in position to hold the corresponding pin in its axially moved position, tripping sears carried by the actuating means and engageable, upon reciprocation of the latter, with any axially moved pin, thereby to trip the corresponding retaining means and the release device, and station selector sears extending along the selector bar, and engageable with each retaining means, after the latter has been tripped, to prevent recocking of the retaining means until the selector bar is returned to its initial position.

11. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station adapted to be set in a cooked or bomb holding position, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a slide pin and means sup-porting and guiding the pin for longitudinal movement and for bodily movement transversely of the pin, actuating means extending through the several stations, means to reciprocate the latter repeatedly through a definite path, a selector device likewise extending through the several stations, means to effect its advance step by step in a definite path in one direction, and permitting its return, the pin of each retaining means, when the latter is in tripped position, lying outside of the path of the actuating means but adapted when the actuating means is bodily moved into cocked position to be disposed for movement axially into the path of th actuating means, pin sears carried by said selector device and spaced, relative to the spacing b tween stations, to engage and move axially in succession the pin of each successive station, stop means on the selector device, cooperating stop means associated with ach retaining means, and disposed only when the latter is in cocked position, to stop the selector pin sear in position to hold the corresponding pin in its axially moved position, tripping sears carried by the actuating means and engageable, upon reciprocation of the latter, with any axially moved pin, thereby to trip the corresponding retaining means and the release device, and a salvo device engageable with all the pin supporting and guiding means, and movable to move all such means substantially simultaneously into tripped position.

12. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station adapted to be set in a cooked or bomb-holding position, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a slide pin and means supporting guiding the pin for longitudinal movement and for bodily movement transversely of the actuating means extending through the several stations, means to reciprocate the la ter repeatedly through a definite path, a selector device like wise extending through the several stations, means to efiect its advance step by step in a definite path in one direction, and permitting its return, the pin of each retaining means, when the latter is in tripped position, lying outside of the path of the actuating means but adapted when the actuating means is bodily moved into cocked position to be disposed for movement axially into the path of the actuating means, pin sears carried by said selector device and spaced, relative to the spacing between stations, to en gage and move axially in succession the pin of each successive station, stop means on the selector device, cooperating stop means associated with each retaining means, and disposed only when the latter is in cocked position, to stop the selector pin sear in position to hold the corresponding pin in its axially moved position, tripping sears carried by the actuating means and engageable, upon reciprocation of the latter, with any axially moved pin, thereby to trip the corresponding retaining means and the release device, and means engageable with all the pin supporting and guiding means, and movable to lock all such means in cocked position.

13. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station, means at each station adapted to be set in a cocked or bomb-holding position to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a slide pin and means supporting and guiding the pin for longitudinal movement and for bodily movement transversely of the pin, actuating means extending through the several stations, means to reciprocate the latter repeatedly through a definite path, a selector device likewise extending through the several stations, means to effect its advance step by step in a definite path in one direction, and permitting its return, the pin of each retaining means, when the latter is in tripped position, lying outside of the path of the actuating means but adapted ll when the actuating means is bodily moved into cocked position to be disposed for movement axially into the path of the actuating means, pin sears carried by said selector device and spaced, relative to the spacing between stations, to ensage and move axially. insuccession the pin of each successive station, stop means on the sele'c tor device, cooperating stop means associated with each retaining means, and disposed only when the latter is in cocked position, to stop the selector pin sear in position to hold the corresponding pin in its axially moved position, tripping sears carried by the actuating means and engageable, upon reciprocation of the latter, with any axially moved pin, thereby to trip the corresponding retaining means and the release device, and means interengageable between the actuating means and the selector device, upon initiation of the tripping movement of the actuating means, to prevent advance of the selector device to the next station until return of the actuating means to its initial position.

14. A multiple station bomb release compris-- ing a spring-loaded release device at each station, a frame including the several stations. an arm pivotally supported on said frame at each'station, and operatively connected to the release de vice whereby the two move together, a sear pivoted in the frame and engageable with said arm to hold the release device in cocked position, a trip arm movable with said sear, a spring-held slide pin slidable, transverse of the frame, in the swinging end of the trip arm, an actuating bar guided in the frame for repeated longitudinal reciprocation, and extending through the several stations, a selector bar likewise extendin through the several stations and guided in the frame for longitudinal movement, a spring tending to advance said selector bar in one direction, a plurality of pin sears, one for each station, carried by said selector bar, and spaced and positioned to singly engage and move axially each successive slide pin in order, and in opposition to its spring, if the pins trip armis in cocked position, stop means on the selector bar, cooper ating stop means on said first mentioned'arm, engageable with the selector bar stop means only if the corresponding arm is in cocked position, to stop the selector bar pin sear in engagement with the corresponding slide pin, thereby to hold the latter in axially displaced position, a plurality of tripping sears carried by the actuating bar, and engageable upon reciprocation of the latter with any axially displaced slide pin, there by to trip the corresponding pivoted sear, the first-mentioned arm, and the release device.

15. A multiple station bomb release comprising a spring-loaded release device at each station adapted to be set in a cocked or bomb-hold-. ing position, a frame including the several stations, an arm pivotally supported on said frame at each station, and operatively connectedto'the release device whereby the two move together, a sear pivoted in the frame and engageable with said arm to hold. the release device in cocked position, a trip arm movable with said sear, a spring-held slide pin slidable, transversely of the frame, in the swinging end of the trip arm, an actuating bar guided in the frame for repeated longitudinal reciprocation, and extending through the several stations, a selector bar likewise extending through the several stations and guided in the frame for longitudinal movement, a spring tending to advance said selector bar in one di- 'rection, a plurality of pin sears, one for each station, carried by said selector bar, and spaced and positioned to snugly engage and move axially each successive slide pin in order, and in opposition to its spring, stop means on the selector bar, cooperating stop means on said first mentioned arm, engageable with the selector bar stop means only if the corresponding arm is in cocked position, to stop the selector bar pin sear in engagement with the corresponding slide pin, thereby to hold the latter in axially displaced position, a plurality of tripping sears carried by the actuating bar, and engageable upon reciprocation of the latter with any axially displaced slide pin, thereby to trip the corresponding pivoted sear, the first-mentioned arm, and the release device, and a salvo bar guided in the frame for reciprocation, and directly engageable with each of said trip arms, to swing the latter for substantially simultaneous release of all the release devices, upon longitudinal movement of the salvo bar.

16. A multiple station bomb release comprising a spring-loaded release device at each station adapted to be set in a cooked or bombholding position, a frame including the several stations, an arm pivotally supported on said frame at each station, and operatively connected to the release device whereby the two move together, a sear pivoted in the frame and engageable with said arm to hold the release device in cocked position, a trip arm movable with said sear, a spring-held slide pin slidable, transversly of the frame, in the swinging end of the trip arm, an actuating bar guided in the frame for repeated longitudinal reciprocation, and extending through the several stations, a selector bar likewise extending through the several stations and guided in the frame for longitudinal 'movement, a spring tending to advance said selector bar'in one direction, a plurality of pin sears, one for each station, carried by said selector bar, and spaced and positioned to singly engage and move axially each successive slide pin in order, and in opposition to its spring, stop means on the selector bar, cooperating stop means On said first mentioned arm, engageable with the selector bar stop means only if the corresponding arm is in cocked position, to stop the selector'bar pin sear in engagement with the corresponding slide pin, thereby to hold the latter in axially displaced position, a plurality of tripping sears carried by the actuating bar, and engageable upon reciprocation of the latter with any axially displaced slide pin, thereby to trip the corresponding pivoted sear, the first-mentioned arm, and the release device, and a salvo bar having a plurality of cams, one for each station, and guided in said frame for longitudinal movement, said cams being engageable directly with each of said trip arms, and formed to permit free movement of the latter when the salvo bar is in an intermediate position, to lock all such trip arms in set position upon movement of the salvo bar in one direction from such intermediate position, and to swing all such trip arms for substantially simultaneous release of all the release devices, upon movement of the salvo bar in the opposite direction from such intermediate position.

17. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release link at each station, means to retain the same in cocked position, a solenoid bar reciprocable to release the links, a station selector bar movable past the several stations, and means at each successive station, each movable by the selector bar, following release of a preceding station, into position to be engaged for release by the solenoid bar, whereby the several stations are releasable in succession by successive reciprocation of the solenoid bar.

18. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release link at each station, means to retain the same in cocked position, a solenoid bar reciprocable to release the links, a station selector bar movable past the several stations, means at each successive station, each movable by the selector bar, following release of a preceding station, into position to be engaged for release by the solenoid bar, whereby the several stations are releasable in succession by successive reciprocation of the solenoid bar, and a salvo bar engageable with the retaining means at all stations, and movable at will to release the same substantially simultaneously.

19. A bomb release comprising a release device, means to retain the same in cocked position, a tripping device movable relative to said retaining means to trip and release the same, means associated with said retaining means, and normally in position where it can not be engaged by the tripping device, but movable independenth, of the tripping device into position for such engagement, to condition the release device for release upon subsequent movement of the tripping device, and means operable following release of the release device to lock the mechanism against recocking.

20. A bomb release comprising a release device, means to retain the same in cocked position, a tripping device movable relative to said retaining means to trip and release the same, means associated with said retaining means, and normally in position where it can not be engaged by the tripping device, but movable independently of the tripping device into position for such engagement, to condition the release device for release upon subsequent movement of the tripping device, a selector bar so to move the latter means, and means movable with the selector bar to lock the mechanism, following release of the release device. against recockingv 21. A bomb release comprising a release device, means to retain the same in cocked position, a tripping device movable past the retaining means to trip and release the same, a pin associated with the retaining means and movable from a normal position out of the path of movement of the tripping device, into such path, to be engaged for release of the retaining means upon subsequent movement of the tripping device, and a selector bar so to move the pin.

22. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station, means at each stat on to retain the release device in cocked position. means movable into operative relationship to each cocked station in succession to con dition such station. for release. a tripping device movable with relation to all stations, and operable only u on any such conditioned station to trip and release the same. and mechanical means automatically operable. followin release of each station. to lock such station against recocking.

23. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station adapted to he set in a, cooked or bomb-holding position, means at each station to retain the release device in cocked position and adapted to be conditioned for operation to disengage the release device, mechanical selector means movable into operative relationship to the retaining means at each cocked station, in succession, to condition the retaining means of a cooked station for operation and thereby to condition such station for release, and tripping means operable upon the retaining means of any such conditioned station to trip and release the same.

24. A bomb release comprising a bomb release device adapted to be set in a cooked or bomb releasing position, means to retain the same in cocked position and adapted to be conditioned for operation to release the bomb release device, a single mechanical means operable at will to condition said retaining means for operation, and tripping means operable at all times, under control of an operator, but cooperating with the retaining means only when the latter has been previously conditioned for operation thereby, to trip and release the same.

25. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station movable between a cocked or bomb-holding position and an uncooked or bomb-releasing position, means at each station to retain the release device in cocked position, when the latter is moved into such position, said retaining means being adapted to be conditioned for operation to free the release device for movement thereof to an uncooked position, and two mechanical devices each movable relative to all stations and cooperating to operate the retaining means to free the release device but neither alone being capable of accomplishing such action, one such device being movable into operative relationship to the retaining means at each cocked station in succession, and skipping intervening uncooked stations, to condition the retaining means of each cocked station, in succession, but only one such retaining means at a time. for operation by the second device, such second device being movable with relation to the retaining means of all stations, cocked or uncooked, and operable upon the single station conditioned by the first device, to operate the same to free the release device.

26. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station movable between a cocked and an uncooked position, and tending to move to and remain in uncooked position, means at each station to retain the release device in cocked position, when the latter is moved into such position, said retaining means being adapted to be conditioned for operation to free the release device for movement to an uncocked position, and two mechanical devices, comprising a selector device and a tripping device, oach movable relative to all release devices, cooked or uncooked, and cooperating to operate the retaining means to free the release devices, but neither alone being capable of accomplishing such action, the selector device being movable automatically, upon the movement of a release device to an uncooked position, into operative relationship to the retaining means of the next cocked release device, skipping the retaining means of intervening unlocked release devices, if any, to condition the retai 'ng means of such next cocked release device for operation and the tripping device being operable thereafter at will to operate the retaining means thus conditioned, but no other.

27. A multiple station bomb release comprising a. release device at each station movable between a cooked and an uncooked position, and tending to move to and remain in uncooked position, means at each station to retain the release device in cocked position, when the latter is moved into such position, said retaining means being adapted to be conditioned for operation to free the release device for movement to an uncooked position, and two mechanical devices, comprising a selector device and a tripping device, each movable relative to all release devices, cooked or uncooked, and cooperating to operate the retaining means to free the release devices, but neither alone being capable of accomplishing such action, the selector device being movable automatically, upon the movement of a release device to an uncocked position, into operative relationship to the retaining means of the next cocked release device, skipping the retaining means of intervening uncooked release devices, if any, to the retaining means of such next cocked release device for operation, and electric means thereafter energizable to move the tripping device, relative to the retaining means of all stations, to operate the retaining means thus conditioned, but no other.

28. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station movable between a cooked and an uncooked position, and tending to move to and remain in uncooked position, means at each station to retain the release device in cocked position, when the latter is moved into such position, and two mechanical devices, comprising a selector device and a tripping device, each movable relative to all stations, cocked or uncooked, and cooperating to trip and release the same, but neither alone being capable of accomplishing such action, the selector device being movable automatically, upon the release of a station, into operative relationship to the next cocked station, skipping intervening uncooked stations, if any, to condition such next cocked station for release, the tripping device being uperable thereafter at will to trip and release the station thus conditioned, but no other, and means automatically operable by tripping movement of the tripping device to lock the selector device against movement, and releasable for movement of the selector device into operative position relative to the next cocked station only after movement of the tripping device to a non-tripping position.

29. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station movable between a cooked and an uncooked position, and tending to move to and remain in uncooked position, means at each station to retain the release device in cocked position, when the latter is moved into such position, stop means at each station, movable into operative position in accordance with movement of the release device into cocked position, and into inoperative position in accordance with movement of the release device into uncooked position, a trip element at each station shiftable in position as the station is cocked or uncooked, and itself movable between an operative and an inoperative position, and two mechanical devices, comprising a selector bar and a tripping device, each movable relative to all stations, cooked or uncooked, and cooperating to trip and release all cocked stations, but neither alone being capable of accomplishing such action, the selector bar being movable automatically, upon the release of a station, and having stop means movable through a path to engage the stop means of the next cocked station, the station stop means, when in inoperative position due to such station being uncocked, lying outside the path of the selector stop means, and being skipped thereby, and the selector bar having means movable through a path to engage the trip element of such neXt cocked station, when such trip element is shifted into such path by the cooking of its station, but of no other station, upon engagement of the 00- operating stop means, and to move such trip element, but no other, into operative position, to condition such station for release, and the tripping device being operable thereafter at will to engage the trip element which is thus placed in operative position, but no other, to trip and release the station thus previously conditioned.

30. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station adapted to be set in a cocked or bomb-holding position, means at each station to retain the release device in cooked position, and adapted to be conditioned for operation to disengage the release device, a mechanical device positioned adjacent and movable into operative relationship to the retaining means at each cocked station in suc cession to condition such retaining means for operation to disengage the release device, and a tripping device movable with relation to all stations, and operable only upon any such conditioned retaining means of a station to disengage the same from'the release device.

31. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station adapted to be set in a cocked or bomb-holding position, means at each station to retain the release device in cocked position and adapted to be conditioned for actuation to disengage the release device, a single mechanical device movable into operative relationship to the retaining means of each cocked station in succession to condition such retaining means for actuation, a tripping device movable with relation to the retaining means of all stations, and operable only upon any such conditioned retaining means of a station to disengage the same from the release device, and means common to and movable relative to the retaining means of all stations, to engage and hold such retaining means in retaining relation with the release device to lock all stations in cocked position.

32. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station adapted to be set in a cocked or bomb-holding position,

means at each station to retain the release device in cocked position, and adapted to be conditioned for actuation to disengage the release device, a single mechanical device movable into 0D- erative relationship to the retaining means of each cocked station in succession to condition such retaining means for actuation, a tripping device movable with relation to all stations, and operable only upon any such conditioned retaining means of a station to disengage the same from the release device, means common to and movable relative to the retaining means of all stations, to engage and hold such retaining means in retaining relation with the release device to lock all stations in cocked position, and

means associated with said locking means, and operable upon a'movement of the latter distinct from the locking movement, to engage and actuate the retaining means of all stations to disengage all release devices substantially simultaneously.

ROBERT J. MINSHALL.

FRED P. LAUDAN.

ELLIOTT G. EMERY, JR. 

